How 1-on-1 piano lessons helped Taylor improve rhythm and timing with metronome practice

Taylor, an eager piano student, was facing challenges with maintaining a consistent tempo and timing, especially when playing new songs. She could play the notes, but her rhythm would often fluctuate, causing the music to sound disjointed. 

Her 1-on-1 piano teacher, Bardiya Jahandideh, recognized that improving her rhythm was essential to making progress, especially with new material. But after just a few lessons, Taylor started seeing noticeable improvements. 

Here’s how their lessons helped her overcome her rhythm struggles.

Real class insight: Taylor’s one-on-one piano session

In their recent lesson, Bardiya and Taylor worked on a mix of review exercises, new material, and crucial timing practice. The focus was on using a metronome and counting while playing to help Taylor stay in time and build confidence with her rhythm.

Improving rhythm – Using a metronome for “Dino, My Pet Dinosaur”

One of the main techniques Bardiya introduced was practicing with a metronome, gradually increasing the tempo. This method helped Taylor stay on track with timing and rhythm, even with tricky passages in “Dino, My Pet Dinosaur.”

What Taylor learned:

“At first, the rhythm felt off, and I struggled with staying in time,” Taylor says. “Bardiya had me practice with a metronome at 70 BPM and slowly increased the speed. I could feel my timing improve as I gradually got more comfortable. It made the piece flow much better!”

By starting slow and gradually increasing the speed, Taylor was able to play the song more smoothly, improving her overall rhythm and timing.

Mastering tricky transitions – Isolating difficult bars

When Taylor struggled with a specific section of the song, Bardiya taught her to isolate just those few bars and repeat them slowly until they felt natural. This prevented frustration and made progress feel achievable.

What Taylor learned:

“There was this one part I kept messing up,” Taylor recalls. “Instead of restarting the whole song, Bardiya had me loop just those two bars. Practicing them alone made all the difference. Once I nailed that bit, the rest of the piece felt easier!”

Building finger strength – Practicing scales and arpeggios

Another technique Bardiya emphasized was building finger strength and agility through daily scale and arpeggio exercises. This not only helped Taylor develop better control over the keyboard but also made transitions between notes in complex songs much smoother.

What Taylor learned:

“Before this, my fingers would get tired quickly during longer pieces,” Taylor shares. “Bardiya made me start each session with simple scales and arpeggios. 

After a few weeks, I noticed my fingers felt stronger and more confident, especially during fast runs. It was like my hands finally caught up with my mind!”

Building confidence – Mastering “Old MacDonald” with singing

As part of the lesson, Taylor also worked on “Old MacDonald,” which she had previously learned. This familiar piece helped her build confidence as she practiced singing along with the piano, reinforcing timing and rhythm through vocal coordination.

What Taylor learned:

“Playing and singing ‘Old MacDonald’ helped me get the rhythm down because I could match my voice to the notes,” Taylor says. “It felt easier to stay on beat once I combined singing with the piano.”

Why this matters: You can improve too

Taylor’s journey shows how personalized 1-on-1 piano lessons can help students master rhythm and timing challenges. 

With Bardiya’s guidance, Taylor learned valuable skills like using a metronome, counting out loud, and practicing with familiar songs to build her confidence and rhythm.

Want to improve timing and rhythm on piano like Taylor?

Work with expert piano tutors who can:

• Help you improve rhythm and timing with metronome practice
• Provide personalized feedback tailored to your needs
• Offer structured lessons with a focus on steady progress

Book your first piano lesson today – your first session is on us!

See more transformation stories

Each student’s journey is unique, but one thing remains the same: personalized 1-on-1 lessons help students overcome their struggles and achieve their musical goals. 

Whether it’s mastering timing, improving technique, or building confidence, Wiingy tutors help students make real progress.

• How 1-on-1 piano lessons helped Emily improve left-hand coordination and master a song

These are just a handful of the real-world success stories from students at Wiingy who have received personalized 1-on-1 piano lessons from our expert piano teachers. 

Discover how individual tutoring can help you overcome your unique obstacles and take your singing to the next level.

Link to Bardiya Jahandideh’s profile

Bardiya Jahandideh Shekalgurabi

Footnote: The student’s name has been changed for privacy reasons.